The Romans Road to Salvation

Many years ago, our church held a series of meetings on soul winning. Following one of the

lessons, a lady came up to me and voiced concern. She was recently saved and was convicted to witness to her family and friends.

“It’s all right for you,” she said. “You know all the scriptures, but it’s all new to me. How do I know which verses to use and where they can be found?” I thought this was a valid argument – and then I thought about how I approach a similar situation when I’m speaking to someone who is interested in knowing more.

When I was first saved, our preacher showed me what’s known as the ‘Romans Road’ in my Bible, and I marked it down so I could always share these verses. 

The Bible is always much stronger than any argument we can make – it is not my view, but God’s view we are discussing. So, make a note in your Bible or phone software beginning at Romans 3:23. Then link to Romans 3:10, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 5:1 and Romans 8:1. Therein is the whole salvation experience.

Put these references on the back of a business card and carry them in your wallet or purse. Then, when God gives you an opportunity, you will be “…instant in season and out…” Always remember that it is God who gives the increase, so the Holy Spirit should lead the

discussion. Think of each verse as a part of the ‘road’, with a traffic light at the end of each point the Bible is making. If you have agreement – i.e. a green light – move on. If there is disagreement, or difficulty, simply recognise that the person may not be ready to receive Christ at this stage. 

Let the Lord lead always – He must increase, we must decrease. Constantly ask questions to ensure understanding. Here are some thoughts you might share with each verse.

Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (KJV).

The discussion here is about the universality of sin. I have sinned, you have sinned, everyone has sinned. Do you agree? If we agree, then we must also acknowledge that God is pure and holy and without sin. How then, can we be made acceptable to God?

Romans 3:10 – “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one…” (KJV).

Many people think that they can become ‘righteous’ by doing good, and that this will therefore outweigh their ‘bad’ and make us acceptable to God. This is false logic. Bad is bad and good is good. Do you agree? They must be mutually exclusive, and bad means we have sinned against God and broken His law. This separates us from God, and no amount of ‘good’ can reconcile us to Him.

“The Bible is always much stronger than any argument we can make – it is not my view, but God’s view we are discussing.”

Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life…” (KJV).
Death is separation from both physical and spiritual life. God is spirit, and we must worship Him in spirit and in truth. If we believe in God, we must also accept that He has made a way for us to be acceptable to Him. This is the “gift of God” – that He gave His son Jesus Christ to be a substitute for us. Does this make sense to you?

Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us…” (KJV).

This is very personal. Christ died for me. Christ died for you. Christ died for the world. God loves me. God loves you. God so loved the world that He gave His Son, Jesus, as a perfect sacrifice. For me. For you. For everyone who will believe. Do you believe this?

Romans 10:9-10 – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…” (KJV).

So, salvation is all about believing and confessing. We have to personally acknowledge our sin and repent and believe that Jesus can save us. It is a very simple heart felt belief system. So simple that children can understand. Adults want to make this complicated, but look at what the Bible says. Repent and believe only! Do you believe this?

Romans 5:1 – “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (KJV). 

See how it works? We can’t ‘make’ it right with God, but Jesus can. He is our substitute. If we are sorry for our sin – and ask for His forgiveness – God does not look at our sin. But, rather at Jesus, who paid the price for our sin. We can have peace about our relationship with God because we are covered by what Christ has done for me and for you. Does that make sense?

Romans 8:1 – “There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit….” (KJV).

If we believe in Christ, we are one with Him. Our faith in His finished work has saved us. We are no longer separated from God. This is a spiritual connection that can not be broken. The Bible makes so many promises to those who believe. Do you believe this? Will you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?

As I have presented this simple tool, it is my prayer it will be a help as you reach out to the lost.